Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company
The Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company is a regional theatre company, producing plays since 1962. Its first production was The Hostage by Brendan Behan, which opened on October 2, 1963.[1] Formed in response to the Canada Council's funding initiative for regional theatre companies,[citation needed] the company performs out of the Vancouver Playhouse, a civic theatre in Vancouver’s downtown core (at Hamilton and Dunsmuir), which is also home to the Vancouver Recital Society and the Friends of Chamber Music.
The Playhouse presents a five-play Mainstage season that runs October through May, additional smaller-scale productions and play readings at alternate venues, and special presentations of Theatre for Young Audiences productions. Productions enjoy a 3-4 week run, including dedicated matinee performances for students, seniors, and the less advantaged. Moderated post-show Talkbacks and pre-show guest speakers at our Salon Saturdays enhance the theatre experience for patrons. The Playhouse has an active education and outreach program, designed to deepen the connection between our plays and our audience, as well as to nurture a lifelong interest in theatre in students.
The company has had many prominent Canadian directors serve as artistic directors over the years including Christopher Newton, Joy Coghill and Walter Learning. The current Artistic Managing Director is Max Reimer, who joined the Playhouse in July 2008.
A major fundraiser for the company is the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, which was first produced as a single-winery event in 1979. The Playhouse often partners with the Studio 58 theatre and production program to apprentice students and graduates.
Artistic Directors
- [[Max Reimer]] (2008-present)
- Glynis Leyshon (1997-2008)
- Susan Cox (1993-1997)
- Larry Lillo (1988-1992)
- Guy Sprung (1987-1988)
- Walter Learning (1982-1987)
- Roger Hodgman (1979-1981)
- Christopher Newton (1973-1979)
- Paxton Whitehead (1971-1973)
- David Gardner (1969-1971)
- Joy Coghill (1967-1969)
- Malcolm Black (1964-1967)
- Michael Johnston (1963-1964)
2010-2011 season
- The Fantasticks - Book and Lyrics by Tom Jones; Music by Harvey Schmidt
- Noël Coward's Brief Encounter - Adapted for the stage by Emma Rice
- This - Written by Melissa James Gibson
- Death of a Salesman - Written by Arthur Miller
- The Trespassers - Written by Morris Panych
Special Presentation:
- MacHomer - Created and Performed by Rick Miller
References
External links
- Playhouse Theatre Company official website
- Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival
- Entry on Playhouse Theatre Company at The Canadian Encyclopedia
- Vancouver Playhouse (civic theatre venue)
 | This theatre-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This article about a specific theatre building is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |